GONE FISHING
By Tamera Will Wissinger
Illustrated by Matthew Cordell
A Mentor Text Lesson Plan by Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Writing Skills Focus:
• Poetic forms
• Word Choice
• Drafting
• Deleting unnecessary words
Target Audience:
3rd Grade-5th Grade
Objectives:
Students will utilize poetry mentor texts to practice writing in different poetic forms.
Students will cut unnecessary words from their poems.
Students will share their poems with their partner.
Students will select a poem to revise more fully.
Marcie'Flinchum'Atkins'
E3mail:'[email protected]'
Please'seek'permission'before'posting'on'another'website.''
http://www.marcieatkins.com'
Standards:
Virginia Standards of Learning:
Standards are listed here for referencing by number in your lesson plans. For link to complete
standards, go to:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/english/2010/stds_all_english.pdf
3rd Grade Standards
3.5 k
3.9 b, e, g
4th Grade Standards
4.5 b, g, k
4.7 b, c, e, i, j
5th Grade Standards
5.5 d, e, l
5.7 b, f, h
Common Core:
Standards are listed here for referencing by number in your lesson plans. For link to complete
standards, go to: http://www.corestandards.org/assets/CCSSI_ELA%20Standards.pdf
3rd Grade Standards
CCSS.ELA.RL. 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.10
CCSS.ELA.W. 3.3 b, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.10
CCSS.ELA.L. 3.3a, 3.5 c, 3.6
4th Grade Standards
CCSS.ELA.RL. 4.2, 4.5, 4.7, 4.10
CCSS.ELA.W. 4.3 b, d, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.10
CCSS.ELA.L 4.3 a, b, 4.5 a, 4.6
5th Grade Standards
CCSS.ELA.RL 5.2, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.10
CCSS.ELA.W 5.3 b, d, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.10
CCSS.ELA.L 5.3 a, b, 5.5 a, 5.6
Marcie'Flinchum'Atkins'
E3mail:'[email protected]'
Please'seek'permission'before'posting'on'another'website.''
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Text(s):
GONE FISHING by Tamera Will Wissinger, illustrated by Matthew Cordell, Houghton Mifflin,
2013.
ISBN: 978-0-547-82011-8
Other suggested texts that can be used are listed on “Teachers Resource List for Each Poetry
Station” (attached)
Other Materials Needed:
Writer’s Notebooks or other paper for students to draft poems
Poetry Station cards (attached)—these can be printed front and back and laminated
See materials list on “Teachers Resource List for Each Poetry Station” (attached)
Zip-top gallon size bags or baskets (to put materials for each station)
Poetry Station student sheet (attached)
Polish Your Poetry student sheet (attached)
Colored pens for revising
Lesson:
Setting the purpose:
This lesson plan will extend for many days to several weeks, depending on how you want to
use it.
Students will engage in poetry writing stations. At each station they can study poetry mentor
texts, then try to write on their own. Keep in mind that each poem written may not become
polished. This gives students freedom to play with different forms.
Marcie'Flinchum'Atkins'
E3mail:'[email protected]'
Please'seek'permission'before'posting'on'another'website.''
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Utilizing the Mentor Text
1. Read the mentor text GONE FISHING with your class or as a read aloud.
2. Poetry Stations
o Students will be using the text to complete the poetry stations. If you have one
book per student (or per pair of students), then they can use the book from
station to station. If not, you can copy and laminate the poems needed for
each station. Laminating the poems means students can use Vis A Vis markers to
write on the text.
o Each student will get a Poetry Center sheet with icons on it. They can use this to
see which stations they will go to. As a teacher you can have them go to all of
them or just some of them, depending on how many days you want to take to
do this lesson.
o It’s a good idea to do a demo with one of the stations. These are the suggested
steps:
! Read the card that has the description of the poem. Students should read
this first so they will know the characteristics of what makes that poem
different.
! Read the mentor text poems from GONE FISHING. If your copies are
laminated, students can mark things they notice in the writing that they
like or want to try.
! Read the directions for writing the poem and the tips. These are just
suggestions. Some kids will be able to try it out without much direction.
Others will need step by step directions. Throughout, please reiterate to
students that they are going for a draft of many poems. Not all of them
will be polished.
! Write a draft of the poem. Students will need to keep these drafts.
Transferring the Skill to Student Writing
Students will have numerous drafts of different types of poems. Have them pick one or two of
their favorites. But tell them they must be willing to really work on it. It might mean rewriting
altogether or reworking it.
Students can use the “Polish Your Poetry” student sheet to go through some steps for revising
their poems. Encourage them to bleed on the paper with their colored pens. Tweaking,
fixing, repairing is all part of the process.
Other Resources:
Tamera Will Wissinger’s Website: http://www.tamerawillwissinger.com
Matthew Cordell’s Website: http://www.matthewcordell.com
Marcie'Flinchum'Atkins'
E3mail:'[email protected]'
Please'seek'permission'before'posting'on'another'website.''
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Name _________________________
Poetry Stations
After you have finished the activity at your center, check it off. Be sure to keep the poems
you write at each station.
Quatrain
Poem of Address
Concrete Poetry
Couplets
Dramatic Poem
for multiple voices
List Poem
How-To/
Recipe Poem
Limerick
Acrostic
Complaint Poem
Ode
Haiku
Marcie'Flinchum'Atkins'
E3mail:'[email protected]'
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Teachers Resource List for Each Poetry Station
General Poetry Resources
If you need resources that address many poetic forms, these are some places to start. You
do not need these general poetry resources in order to complete this unit.
A CHILD’S INTRODUCTION TO POETRY by Michael Driscoll, illustrated by Meredith Hamilton
FLY WITH POETRY: AN ABC OF POETRY written and illustrated by Avis Harley
HOW TO WRITE HAIKU: AND OTHER SHORT POEMS by Paul B. Janeczko (available through
Scholastic Book Clubs)
HOW TO WRITE POETRY (Scholastic Guides) by Paul B. Janeczko
A KICK IN THE HEAD: AN EVERYDAY GUIDE TO POETIC FORMS by Paul B. Janeczko, illustrated
by Chris Raschka
LEAP INTO POETRY: MORE ABCs OF POETRY written and illustrated by Avis Harley
PICTURE YOURSELF WRITING POETRY: USING PHOTOS TO INSPIRE WRITING by Laura Purdie Salas
PIZZA, PIGS, AND POETRY: HOW TO WRITE A POEM by Jack Prelutsky
POETRY FROM A TO Z: A GUIDE FOR YOUNG WRITERS compiled by Paul B. Janeczko
POETRY MATTERS: WRITING A POEM FROM THE INSIDE OUT by Ralph Fletcher
R IS FOR RHYME: A POETRY ALPHABET by Judy Young, illustrated by Victor Juhasz
SEEING THE BLUE BETWEEN: ADVICE AND INSPIRATION FOR YOUNG POETS compiled by Paul B.
Janeczko
Poetry Resources for Each Poetic Form
As part of this unit, I have selected a few poetic forms to use. Wissinger uses many more
poetic forms than the twelve I have selected for this activity. Of the resources listed below,
you will definitely need the text GONE FISHING to use as a mentor text for all of the activities.
It is optional whether you want to use any of the other poetry texts as additional samples.
Quatrain
Materials You’ll Need:
• “Fishing for Pretend” p. 11
• “When We’re Fishing” p. 45
• “My Big Fish” p. 65
Poem of Address
Materials You’ll Need:
• “A Fishy Spell” p. 13
• “Lucy’s Song” p. 52-53
Book Resources:
HEY YOU! POEMS TO SKYSCRAPERS, MOSQUITOES, AND OTHER FUN THINGS selected by Paul
B. Janeczko, illustrated by Robert Rayevsky
Marcie'Flinchum'Atkins'
E3mail:'[email protected]'
Please'seek'permission'before'posting'on'another'website.''
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Concrete Poetry
Materials You’ll Need:
• “The Night Before Fishing” p. 14-15
Book Resources:
FLICKER FLASH by Joan Bransfield Graham, illustrated by Nancy Davis
A POKE IN THE I selected by Paul B. Janeczko, illustrated by Chris Raschka
Couplets
Materials You’ll Need:
• “Gone Fishing” p. 17
• “A Big Surprise” p. 85
Dramatic Poem for Multiple Voices
Materials You’ll Need:
• “Up and At ‘Em” p. 18-21
• “I See Something” p. 31-32
• “We Love Fishing” p. 92-95
• Planning sheet for Dramatic Poem for Multiple Voices
Book Resources:
BIG TALK: POEMS FOR FOUR VOICE by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Beppe Giacobbe
JOYFUL NOISE by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Eric Beddows
List Poem
Materials You’ll Need:
• “What to Pack?” p. 27
• “All Aboard” p. 36-37
• “Hooked” p. 83
Book Resources:
FALLING DOWN THE PAGE edited by Georgia Heard
How-To/Recipe Poem
Materials You’ll Need:
• “Recipe for Fishing” p. 43
Limerick
Materials You’ll Need:
• “Next Time” p. 90
Marcie'Flinchum'Atkins'
E3mail:'[email protected]'
Please'seek'permission'before'posting'on'another'website.''
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Acrostic
Materials You’ll Need:
• “Catfish Sam” p. 75
Book Resources:
AFRICAN ACROSTICS by Avis Harley, photographs by Deborah Noyes
AUTUMN: AN ALPHABET ACROSTIC by Steven Schnur, illustrated by Leslie Evans
SPRING: AN ALPHABET ACROSTIC by Steven Schnur, illustrated by Leslie Evans
SUMMER: AN ALPHABET ACROSTIC by Steven Schnur, illustrated by Leslie Evans
WINTER: AN ALPHABET ACROSTIC by Steven Schnur, illustrated by Leslie Evans
Complaint Poem
Materials You’ll Need:
• “Lucy’s Quiet Time” p. 49
Ode
Materials You’ll Need:
• “For the Love of Harold, Best of the Worms” p. 57-58
Haiku
Materials You’ll Need:
• “Our Take” p. 97
Book Resources:
Haiku Annotated Book List
http://www.marcieatkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Annotated-Haiku-UpdatedFeb.-2013.pdf
Other Resources for Haiku Lessons:
http://www.marcieatkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/STONE-BENCH-IN-AN-EMPTYPARK-Haiku-Mentor-Text-Lesson.pdf
Marcie'Flinchum'Atkins'
E3mail:'[email protected]'
Please'seek'permission'before'posting'on'another'website.''
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Polish'Your'Poetry'
'
Complete'each'poetry'polishing'tip.'When'you'finish,'make'a'
check'in'the'box.''
'
'
'
'
'
'
Listen&
Shout&it&Out&
Have'your'partner'read'
Read'your'poem'out'loud'to' your'poem'out'loud'to'you.'
yourself.'Where'do'you'
As'your'partner'reads'your'
stumble?'Fix'those'spots.''
poem,'listen.'What'words'
or'phrases'don’t'
sound'quite'right?'Fix'
those'spots.''
'
Rev&Up&Your&Verbs&
Do'you'have'lots'of'action'
words?'Are'they'the'most'
specific'and'strongest'
verbs'you'can'come'
up'with?''
'
Follow&the&Rules&
Reread'the'characteristics'
of'your'poetic'form'on'the'
poetry'station'cards.'Does'
your'poem'follow'
the'rules?''
'
Cut&the&Flab&
Poetry'only'uses'the'best'
words.'There’s'no'room'for'
superfluous'words'(that'
means'extra,'unnecessary).'
Cut'what'isn’t'needed.'This'
can'be'fun.'You'are'
pruning'the'poem.''
'
Let&it&Shine&
Share'your'poem'with'the'
world'(or'a'friend'or'two).'
Poetry'is'meant'to'be'read'
aloud'and'shared.''Ta'Da!''
Marcie'Flinchum'Atkins'
E3mail:'[email protected]'
Please'seek'permission'before'posting'on'another'website.''
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PLANNING SHEET FOR A DRAMATIC POEM WITH MULTIPLE VOICES
Look at the partial sample from GONE FISHING’s poem “Up and At ‘Em: Dramatic Poem for Three”.
Sam
Dad, wake up! It’s six-o-eight.
Dad
Lucy
It’s dark outside; the fish will wait.
I’ll make toast, I’ll pack the truck.
Load our worms—they’ll bring us luck.
Okay, I’m up. I’ll help you load.
So we can get you on the road.
A fishing trip?
Notice in the sample poem that each character is talking. No one is talking at the same time. It’s like dialogue back and forth. If
you want to include dramatic effect, you can have two or more of the characters talk at the same time. In that case, the
dialogue would need to be written on the same lines right across from each other.
Try writing your own dramatic poem for multiple voices below. It’s a “talking poem,” so think about what each character would
say.
Voice 1
Voice 2
Voice 3
Marcie'Flinchum'Atkins'
E3mail:'[email protected]'
Please'seek'permission'before'posting'on'another'website.''
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Sample Concrete Poems:
GONE FISHING
“The Night Before Fishing”
p. 14-15
Other Books:
FLICKER FLASH
by Joan Bransfield Graham
Illustrated by Nancy Davis
CONCRETE POEM
•
•
Shape poem
The shape of the words adds meaning to the
poem
A POKE IN THE I
Selected by Paul B. Janeczko
Illustrated by Chris Raschka
Sample Acrostic Poems:
ACROSTIC POEM
GONE FISHING
“Catfish Sam” p. 75
Other Books:
AFRICAN ACROSTICS
By Avis Harley
Photographs by Deborah Noyes
AUTUMN: AN ALPHABET ACROSTIC
SPRING: AN ALPHABET ACROSTIC
SUMMER: AN ALPHABET ACROSTIC
WINTER: AN ALPHABET ACROSTIC
All of these books by Steve Schnur,
Illustrated by Leslie Evans
•
•
•
Write the letters of the word of the poem
vertically down the page.
Can be letters at the beginning or end of the
poem.
Most do not rhyme.
WRITING A CONCRETE
POEM
1.
Brainstorm objects you could
write about.
2. Make a list of words or
phrases about that item.
3. Draw the shape on a page.
4. Put your best words and
phrases either around the
drawing or inside of it.
TIP:
Use space. Use sounds. Choose only
your best and most unique words
and phrases to put in your poem.
Tip:
Sample brainstorming idea
WRITING AN ACROSTIC
POEM
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Draw a chart on your paper like the
one on the right.
Write the letters of your topic along
the top.
Brainstorm words and phrases with
those letters of the alphabet.
Then write the letters of your topic
vertically down the page.
Select your best brainstorming
words and phrases to write a draft of
your poem.
R
Ramble
Rumble
Round
Rippled
puddles
A
Assault
of
drops
I
Inside
dry
N
Never-ending
Necessary
I tromp
in
puddles
Nixing my fear
of
thunderstorms
Rumbling, rambling storm brings
An assault of drops.
I tromp in puddles
Nixing my fear of thunderstorms.
Sample Dramatic Poems for
Multiple Voices:
GONE FISHING
“Up and At ‘Em” p. 18-21
“I See Something” p. 31-32
“We Love Fishing” p. 92-95
Other Books:
BIG TALK: POEMS FOR
FOUR VOICES
By Paul Fleischman,
illustrated by Beppe Giacobbe
JOYFUL NOISE
By Paul Fleischman,
illustrated by Eric Beddows
DRAMATIC POEM
for multiple voices
•
•
A dramatic poem for multiple voices is
meant to be performed.
Some lines are read by individuals, some are
read by all of the voices.
COMPLAINT POEM
Sample Complaint Poems:
GONE FISHING
“Lucy’s Quiet Time” p. 49
•
•
This is a great way to air out your
complaints. What bugs you?
This can be a humorous poem—not cruel.
HOW TO WRITE A
DRAMATIC POEM FOR
MULTIPLE VOICES
1.
2.
3.
4.
Perform some of the sample poems
with your partner. Practice reading
the poem with dramatic flair. Notice
how the poem is set up.
Brainstorm ideas for your poem.
You and your partner can work on
this together.
Use the Multiple Voices Poem chart
to help you plan out what you will
say.
Try it out. Cut unnecessary words.
HOW TO WRITE A
COMPLAINT POEM
1.
2.
3.
4.
Brainstorm all of the things that
really irritate you.
Choose one of those irritating things
on your list.
Make another brainstorming list
about all of the reasons you are
annoyed by this irritating
person/thing.
Use your list to write your poem.
Remember cut all unnecessary
words.
TIP:
Are you totally stuck for an idea?
Find some old magazines and cut
out pictures. Sometimes looking at
a picture will give you an idea for a
poem.
TIP:
Think of something unusual to
complain about. Sure, you are
probably irritated by your sister,
but are you also irritated by the
sound of the alarm clock in the
morning? The sound of a yappy
dog? The snow plows that make the
roads passable for school buses?
HOW-TO OR
RECIPE POEMS
Sample Recipe Poem:
GONE FISHING
“Recipe for Fishing” p. 43
•
•
•
•
This type of poem tells how to do something
Can be in the form of just directions from
beginning to end
Can be in the form of a recipe, complete with
ingredients and directions
You can be silly with this type of poem, if
you want
LIMERICKS
Sample Limerick:
GONE FISHING
“Next Time” p. 90
•
•
•
•
•
They are 5 lines long
Rhyme pattern is: AABBA
It is thought to have come from Limerick,
Ireland around 1700, but many similar types
of poems were around long before that.
Edward Lear made limericks popular. He
was known for nonsense poetry.
Limericks are often jokes.
HOW TO WRITE A HOW-TO
OR A RECIPE POEM
1.
2.
3.
4.
Decide what topic to write directions
about
If you are writing a recipe, make a
list of ingredients.
If you are writing a how-to poem or
a recipe poem, write down the
directions from beginning to end.
You can write in a lot of detail for
the draft.
Remember, a poem only uses the
very necessary words. Cut the poem
down to only the best and most
necessary words.
TIP:
When you write your directions,
start with the best action words.
HOW TO WRITE A LIMERICK
1.
2.
3.
4.
Read aloud several limericks. Listen
to how they sound. The rhythm is
very important in a limerick.
Think about a silly person you want
to write a limerick about (it can be a
made up person).
Write it in five lines with the AABBA
rhyming pattern. You may have try
several times to get just the right
words.
Read it aloud. Have a friend read it
aloud. Does it have the sound of a
limerick?
TIP:
Look at this line from a limerick.
Look at the beats or the syllables
that are emphasized.
There once was an odd hen from
Peru.
(ditty-dum, ditty-dum, ditty-dum)
HAIKU
Sample Haiku:
GONE FISHING
“Our Take” p. 97
•
•
•
•
•
Japanese poem
Short form—3 lines
Often follows these syllable patterns, but
doesn’t have to:
o First line—5 syllables
o Second line—7 syllables
o Third line—5 syllables
Includes a seasonal word
Captures a single moment
Sample List Poems:
GONE FISHING
“What to Pack?” p. 27
“All Aboard” p. 36-37
“Hooked” p. 83
Other Books of List Poems:
FALLING DOWN THE
PAGE
Edited by Georgia Heard
LIST POEM
•
•
•
List of items
Often entertaining
Has some sort of order, not just random
HOW TO WRITE A HAIKU
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Observe outside in nature.
Make a list of the things that you
see, hear, smell, feel, taste.
Use your words to paint a picture of
the moment in time you observed.
Keep your poem to three lines.
You’ll have to cut out many words.
You can keep the 5-7-5 syllable rule,
if you want to try it. If you don’t,
remember the lines must be short.
The middle line is longer than the 1st
and 3rd lines.
TIPS:
• Don’t use words like
AWESOME, COOL,NICE.
• Don’t use filler words like
AND, BUT, BECAUSE, SO
unless they are absolutely
necessary.
TIPS
HOW TO WRITE A LIST POEM
1.
2.
3.
4.
Think of a person or an item you
might want to write a list about.
When you brainstorm, write down
everything that comes to your mind.
Don’t cross anything out.
As you form the poem, think of a
way you could order the poem. Are
there words or phrases on your list
that go together?
Write out your list.
Here are some ideas for things to write
lists about:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Ways to bug my sister
Trip essentials
Sports—pick one to write about
Your pet
What’s on my mind when I
daydream
ODE
Sample Odes:
•
GONE FISHING
“For the Love of Harold,
Best of the Worms” p. 57-58
•
•
•
COUPLET
Sample Couplets:
GONE FISHING
“Gone Fishing” p. 17
“A Big Surprise” p. 85
The word “ode” comes from the Greek word
“to sing.”
It is a poem that often addresses (talks to)
something that isn’t present.
It celebrates a person, animal, or object.
It doesn’t have to rhyme or use a formal
structure.
•
•
•
Shortest form of traditional poetry
Has just TWO lines
The lines rhyme
WRITING AN ODE
1.
2.
3.
Make a list of everything you
LOVE (examples: foods,
hobbies, people, etc.)
Pick ONE of the things you
love. Then make a list of
everything you LOVE about
that thing.
Draft a poem declaring your
love for this thing and why
you love it. See the sample
poem “For the Love of
Harold, Best of the Worms” p.
57-58 from GONE FISHING.
Tip:
You can be a little flamboyant with
your language. What does
flamboyant mean? It means
flowery and over-the-top. Really
declare your love for this thing.
WRITING A COUPLET
1.
2.
3.
4.
Think about something funny
or embarrassing that happened
to you. What made it funny or
embarrassing?
Write a two line poem. The
last word in each line should
rhyme.
Read your couplet out loud.
Can you hear the rhythm? Do
the last words rhyme?
Don’t stop. If you have more
to write, write more couplets.
Some couplets are strung
together to make longer
poems.
Tip:
Having trouble finding a word to
rhyme? You can use a rhyming
dictionary.
If you don’t have a print rhyming
dictionary, go to
http://www.rhymer.com
QUATRAIN
Sample Quatrains:
GONE FISHING
“Fishing for Pretend” p. 11
“When We’re Fishing” p. 45
“My Big Fish” p. 65
•
•
•
A four line poem or stanza
It can rhyme
Rhyme schemes can be:
o ABAB
o ABBA
o ABCB
o ABAC
o AABB
Sample Poems of Address:
GONE FISHING
“A Fishy Spell” p. 13
“Lucy’s Song” p. 52-53
Other Books:
HEY YOU! POEMS TO
SKYSCRAPERS,
MOSQUITOES, AND
OTHER FUN THINGS
Selected by Paul B. Janeczko
Illustrated by Robert
Rayevsky
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
POEM OF ADDRESS
•
•
•
A poem of address talks directly to
something or someone.
You can write the poem to something that
isn’t alive or someone you know very well.
You can even get mad at whatever you are
addressing.
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.marcieatkins.com
Please seek permission before posting on another website.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.marcieatkins.com
Please seek permission before posting on another website.
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WRITING A QUATRAIN
1. Reread “Fishing for Pretend.”
2. Brainstorm things you like to
pretend or used to like to pretend.
3. Write a poem about pretending. For
example: Wissinger’s “Fishing for
Pretend” is about pretending to fish.
You could write a poem about
pretending to build a castle (or
something else).
4. Check to see if your end words
follow one of the rhyming schemes for
quatrains.
Tip:
You can write a poem that is only
four lines, or you can write several
quatrains together. Many songs are
written in quatrains.
WRITING A POEM OF ADDRESS
Tip:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Make a list of things that make
you mad.
Pick one thing to write a poem
about.
Make a list of all the things you
don’t like about the thing that
makes you mad.
Write it in a poem form.
Remember you are talking
directly TO that thing or person.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Take a look at “A Fishy Spell”
again. You can write your poem in
the form of a casting a spell if you
want. You can also write it in the
form of couplets if you want.
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.marcieatkins.com
Please seek permission before posting on another website.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.marcieatkins.com
Please seek permission before posting on another website.
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